Ukraine and NATO: The evolving strategic partnership

Abstract

The article explores the evolution of Ukrainian‐NATO relations since the disintegration of the former USSR. It argues that Ukraine's elites have made a strategic decision in favour of integration into European and Trans‐Atlantic structures. These ruling elites are divided into ‘romantic’ and ‘pragmatic’ groups. The former support a Baltic‐style immediate demand of NATO membership while the latter opt for non‐bloc status as a stage to future NATO membership. Ukraine's pragmatic elites have declared their aim of EU and WEU membership while only outlining a future desire for NATO membership. Nevertheless, whereas NATO has adopted an open door policy the EU/WEU have defined two groups of future members which exclude Ukraine. Such a Western policy could turn Ukraine into another ‘Turkey’ which may achieve future NATO membership while being excluded from the EU/WEU as somehow ‘non‐European’.